Industry-wide studies report of an industrial-hygiene survey at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio. [Ethylene oxide]

The survey was conducted to evaluate the occupational exposure of workers to ethylene oxide (EtO). EtO is used to sterilize heat- and/or moisture-sensitive medical and surgical supplies, and exposure to EtO may occur during the sterilization process. Personal breathing-zone and general-area sampling for EtO was conducted by NIOSH researchers during the survey. Six personal short-term EtO sampling results (ranging from <0.01 to 0.80 parts per million (ppm) were below the NIOSH short-term recommended standard of 5 ppm for a maximum of 10 minutes per day. Recommendations concerning work practices and installation of engineering controls are offered that could reduce EtO exposure potential in the hospital.